The Coldstream Creek Restoration Project Society for the Protection of Kalamalka Lake District of Coldstream, January 3, 2010
Never doubt that a handful of committed people can change the world. world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. ~Margaret Mead
Coldstream Creek Restoration Project • Purpose • Partners and Participants • Process • Results • Funding • Problems / Solutions • Recommendations
Coldstream Creek Restoration Project Purpose Educate Coldstream Residents on: • • • • •
the importance of a healthy riparian habitat identification and removal of invasive plants how to plant riparian plants why riparian fencing is important working near water regulatory processes The riparian corridor between McClounie Rd. and Kirkland Dr. has been improved as a result of this project, especially within Creekside Park. However, public education was the main purpose of this project and the reason why the most populated (and public), rather than the most destroyed, portion of Coldstream Creek’s riparian corridor was chosen.
Coldstream Creek Restoration Project Partners and Participants • • • • • • • • • • • •
SPrKL Directors and Members EcoAction (Environment Canada) District of Coldstream Staff EBA, A Tetra Tech Company NORD MoE City of Vernon Community Volunteers Swan Lake Nursery Briteland Crystal Classic Exteriors Wayside Press
Coldstream Creek Restoration Project Process
Date Range Activities (Hours)
September 2009 - November 2009 EBA: Proposal to SPrKL (6) SPrKL: Project Application to Eco Action (12) DoC: Support Letter (2) Original Time Line (April 1, 2010 – October 15, 2010)
May 2010 – June 2010 SPrKL: Official Acceptance Ceremony (2), Meetings (2), Proposal re-write (20), Support letters (20), Invitation Letter (5), Schedule (4) DoC: Coordination (5) Support letters (5) EBA: Planning (4), Site Assesssment (16), SHIM Review (7), Overall Restoration Plan (25), Coordination (8) NORD: Data Sharing Agreement (4) Adjusted Time Line (July 15, 2010 – October 30, 2010) The time line was adjusted because EcoAction was two months late in letting us know we had been accepted
July 2010 – August 2010 SPrKL: Posters (20), Budget tables for EcoAction templates (10), contact with suppliers (10), Resident reminder (10), Collection of willow stakes (30) DoC: Invitation Letter (10), Detail Plan review (6) EBA: Household Contact (10), Section 9 Application, Detailed Prescription Plan (20) NORD: Site Meeting (2), Creekside Park Plan Review (4) City of Vernon: Irrigation map sharing (1), Creekside Park Plan review (2) Environment Canada: Impact assessment of fence (10) Crystal Classics Exteriors (fencing): BC1 contact (2 in kind), Review of Historical Maps and irrigation (2 in-kind)
September – October 2010 SPrKL: Media Release (5), Final Poster (8), Coordination with DoC (2) Workshop set-up (4), Event Posters (10), Plant watering and organization (8), Participation package hand-out (1), Final contract (8), Final reporting (8), Refreshment preparation (5) DoC: Final invitation letter (10), Media release (5), Pick up and storage of plants and cage wire (8), Water, plant and cage wire delivery (6), Edger pick-up (1), Workshop tear-down (2) EBA: Presentations (10), Participant’s package (15), Demo (1), Planting (12) Crystal Classics Exteriors: Fencing (4 in-kind) Volunteers: Planting and fencing (150) At the time of the Workshop (Sept 18), no money had been received from EcoAction, EBA and Swan lake Nursery had not been paid.
November 2010 – January 2010 SPrKL: Final poster (5), Review (10), This presentation (8) EBA: Final report (20) DoC: Review (5) The final EBA report was delayed until funding had been received from EcoAction. Money was received from EcoAction in early November. An Issue for review report has been completed. The final EBA report will be completed by early January 2011.
Coldstream Creek Restoration Project Results • Overall Restoration Plan, SHIM Report Review, Participant Contact, Detailed Restoration Plan, Section 9 Application (non-applicable), Project Management, Final Report • Well attended (35) Planting Workshop including planting demonstration and participants package • 12 out of 44 households received plants • Over 400 plants at Creekside Park • Over 100 plants at households • Final Poster (draft) The final poster has been delayed until the final EBA report is completed.
Original Hours and Funding Cash $
In-kind $
Hours
0
1,100
80
EcoAction
16,233
0
0
DoC
10,124
6,300
63
EBA
0
2,874
25
Volunteers
0
3,350
335
$26,357
$13,624
503
SPrKL
Total
Estimated Project Value (cash + in-kind): $39,981
Actual Hours and Funding Cash $
In-kind $
Hours
0
2,570
227
EcoAction
16,233
1000
10
DoC
10,124
6,500
65
EBA
0
17,535
167
Volunteers
0
1500
150
NORD
0
1000
10
Crystal Classic
0
400
8
$26,357
$30,505
637
SPrKL
Total
Actual Project Value (cash + in-kind): $56,862
Problems and Solutions Problem
Solution
Difficulty drawing the line between SPrKL project management and EBA project management
One person should do one or the other but not both
Some households did not have a phone listing
In-person visit
Roots and soil made it difficult to dig trenches around planting areas in Creekside Park
Rented an edger, used funds not allocated to DoC staff per diem
A Creekside Park-specific figure and on-site meeting was required for regulator review
Created a detailed Creekside Park Restoration Plan figure, met with regulator, met with fencing contractor
Did not get money from EcoActiojn until the project was over
Paid everyone but those we could stall: EBA and Swan Lake Nursery
Repeat requests from EcoAction to re-submit / rewrite application on new templates that were faulty
Patience and submission
EBA refused to allow work on the final report until invoices for previous work were paid and required more funds for extra figure and HST
EBA waited for funding before completing final report, SPrKL used money not required for room rental ($3000) to pay EBA
Final poster installation delayed
Waiting for final EBA report to confirm facts, SPrKL will install posters in the Spring (Creekside Park and Kirkland Beach). Wayside Press has reduced cost.
Ran out of money for final poster
Requested more money from EcoAction for sign installation ($1500)
Recommendations to DoC 1. If involved in park management, move picnic tables 30 m away from creek, ensure sprinklers reach new plantings and refrain from piling grass clippings near creek. 2. Support public education involving recognition of invasive species and the importance of riparian habitat. 3. Complete similar restoration projects along other sections of Coldstream Creek. Have a qualified professional complete instream and planting prescriptions. This may include geotechnical assessment. 4. For future projects involving public participation in planting make initial contact in the Spring. 5. Support MoE in continued water quality monitoring above and below the project area. 6. Meet with stakeholders and regulators before planning future projects to ensure enough time has been allotted for technical assessment, consultation or other unplanned-for work.
You drink it. Please, take care of it. Thank-you ~SPrKL